Venetian blind



Nov., 14, 950 w. TuRKowsKl VENETIAN BLIND 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 26, 1947 Hail.

NOV. 14, 1950 wl TURKOWsKl 2,529,714

VENETIAN BLIND Filed May 26, 1947 3 Sheeis-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ww refe 72f/Pxowsk/ ifm/WYE):

W. T U R KOWS Kl VENETIAN BLIND Nov. 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 26, 1947 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. i4, 95@

Umm STATESV PATENr FFICE VENETIAN BLINB Walter Turkowski, Hollywood, lili. l Application May 26, 1947, Serial No. 750,555 v 8 Claims.

My invention relates to adjustable window blinds of the type commonly known as Venetian blinds.

My invention relates more particularly to Venetian blinds of the type that are adapted to their longitudinal axis to various positions 'of adjustment for controlling the amount and direction of light and air passing through a window.

Aiurther object of the present invention is to provide window blinds of the above type in which the shutters or slats are also mounted to swing laterally so that they may be adjustably gathered at their lower ends without disturbing their positions at their upper ends.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of this type of Venetian blind whereby the adjustable gathering at the lower end may be controlled by a brace or rod support member that may be swung to a tilted or to a horizontal position. In its horizontal position the slats will be hung vertically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a Venetian blind unit which may include two sets of vertically hung slats, the mechanism for tilting the slats or gathering the lower ends, the entire unit being adapted to be suiliciently light and sturdy so that it can be hung upon suitable brackets inthe window sill.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for swinging the lowerv ends Z is easily and simply constructed, yet sufficiently rigid and sturdy so that it can be given long and hard usage without becoming broken or out oi' order.

Other objects and advantages will be more o apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings, upon which:

Fig. l is a front elevational .view showing the assembly of a complete Venetian blind unit capable of being hung in a window frame, with parts shown in section to more clearly show other Darts;

Fig. 2 is a plan view oi the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the side rod members-upon which the slat gathering blade is m'ounted;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing Fig.` '7 is a generally diagrammatic view showof the slats to the side which mechanism be in the form of a bar fastened throughaplurality of slats and having means onth bar for holding the slats comparatively rigid either in a vertical position or with the slats slopingly directed to the sides, the same mechanism permitting partial rotation of the slats so that the same may be turned even though the lower ends are gathered to one side.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the type described for swinging the slats to a tilted position so arranged that half of the slats may be controlled by one mechanism and half by the other, whereby when the lower end of the slats are gathered together the Venetian blinds will have the appearance of drapes on the Window.

A further object of the invention is to pro-= vide a Venetian blind of the type described that one oi. the slats with the opening through which the slat gathering blade passes;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same taken generally on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

ing a different type of slat gathering blade in connection with an assembly of vertical slats;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of one of the slats and the blade and;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the vline 9 9 of Fig. 8.

In the embodiment of the invention which I have chosen to illustrate, I have provided a frame adapted to be suspended in the window frame on suitable brackets. This may include the end block members I0 and I2 connected together by A`suitablecross-frame members I4 and I6. I provide a pair of L-shaped brackets I8 upon the sides oi' the end frame members l0 and i 2, the brackets I8 being provided with ledges so they can rest upon a bracket in the window frame, which will position the entire Venetian blind unit so there will be no back and forth movement of the same, yet the entire unit can be lifted oil the brackets and handled as a unit when it is desired to wash thewindows or in other ways have free access to the window frame.

The rectangular frame which I have provided may have a cross-bar 26 which extends from the member iii to the member i2 and is rigidly secured to the same. 'Ihe bar 2t may have a plurality of pin members 22 secured to the same and extending downwardly therefrom to support the U-shaped brackets 2d. Each ofthe brackets rfi is adapted to carry a slat 26 hung therein by means' of Aa metal clip member that passes through an opening in the slat and through suitable openings in the brackets 24. The slats 26 are arcuate, as shown, and provided with a medial ridge 30 so that when they are pulled to the side, instead of ilexing they will maintain rigidity.

Each of the brackets 24 is connected by a suitable pivot to an operating bar 36 which extends throughout the `Vlength of the unit and is connected to all of the brackets 24 in the unit. At an intermediate point the operating bar 36 is connected by a bolt member 38 to one end of a lever 46 pivotally mounted upon the cross-bar 26. The lever 40 may carry hooks 42 to which both ends of operating cords 44 and 46 are connected. Thus when either the cord 44 or the cord 46 is pulled, it will swing the operating bar 36 either to the right or to the left to turn the brackets 24, and in this manner the individual slats will be turned to the right or to the left, depending upon which cord is pulled. The cords 44 and 46 may extend from the unit 42 over a pair of pulleys 46 and 50 mounted in suitable brackets on the end frame members i and I2.

The mechanism for gathering back the slats may include a pair of rod members 54 and 56 each of which carries a block 58 at its lower end. The block 66 may be formed with a slot 60 within which the blade 62 is positioned, being mounted upon the shaft 64 at the end of an operating handle 66. For holding the blade in either a raised or a horizontal position I provide openings 66 and 16 therein and a spring pressed ball member 12 mounted in the block 58 and adapted to yieldingly hold the blade 62 in either position mentioned.

The blade 62 may be formed with a plurality of notches, so that in the normal position of the slats they will be rigidly held against back and forth swaying, the blade 62 passing through elongated openings 64 in each of the slats.26. The elongated openings 64 are of a sufllcient width so that the slats may be turned, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 6, and yet be controlled as to their back and forth swaying when in vertical position.

When it is desired to gather the lower ends of the slats together to give a draped appearance to the unit, the blade 62 is raised passing upwardly in the elongated slots 64 and locked in the uppermost position by means of the spring pressed ball 12 as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the notches 62-A of the blade 62 are again capable of holding the slats rigid in a slanting position, yet permit the partial rotation of the slats whenever the ropes 44 or 46 are pulled.

From theabove and foregoing description it will be clear to those skilled in the art that I have provided a vertically hung Venetian blind unit that is easily and simply assembled and one that is easily and simply operatedto turn the individual slats in unison when the cords 44 and 46 are pulled down. When it is desired to gather the lower ends of the slats to one side this is done by raising the operating blade 62, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the slats are held in this position until the blade is lowered.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. "I, 8 and 9, I have shown a. comparatively narrower slot 64-ay in .the slat 26-a, the bottom portion of the slot being widened as shown at 65, so that when the slats are suspended in a vertical position they may be swung about at right angles to close or open the same.

With this construction I provide a slat gathering blade SZ-a generally formed with the inclined edges 63 as'shown, so that in the normal vertical hanging position a slat 26a will rest in one of the corners of the inclined edges 63. With this construction the slat gathering blade 62-a need only be moved through a comparatively small angle to gather the lower edges of the slats together, as shown in Fig. '7.

The general construction of the Venetian blind unit, with the exception ofY the parts shown in Figs. 3 to 9 of the drawings, may be similar to that shown in my co-pending application- Serial No. 684,102 filed July 17, 1946, now abandoned. The specific novelty of the present construction .resides in the mechanism for gathering the slats at their lower ends and for holding the same against back and forth movement when they are I vertically suspended.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of the invention and modifications of the same, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in the exactdetails shown and I do not Wish to be limited in any particular; rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination with window blinds comprising two blinds, each consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blinds are mounted at their upper ends, said frame including end block members, rod members extending downwardly from each of said block members, and means extending therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position.

2. The combination with window blinds comprising two blinds, each consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blinds are mounted at their upper ends, said frame including end block members, rod members extending downwardly from each of said block members, and means extending' therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position, said means including toothed blade members extended through slots in said slats.

3. The combination with window blinds comprising two blinds, each consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blinds are mounted at their upper ends, said frame including end block members, rod members extending downwardly from each of said block members, and means extending therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position, said means including toothed blade members extending through slots in said slats, said blade members pivotally mounted and capable of being swung upwardly to gather the lower ends of said slats together to effect a drape appearance.

4. The combination with window blinds comprising two blinds, each consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blinds are mounted at their upper ends, said frame including end block members. rod members extending downwardly from each of said block members, and means extending therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position, said means including toothed blade members extended through slots 5 in said slats, said blade members pivotaliy mounted and capable of being swung upwardly to gather the lower ends of said slats together to eiiect a drape appearance, and means associated with said blade members for ilxedly holding the same horizontal or at an angle.

5. The combination with a blind consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blind is mounted at its upper end, said frame including an end block member, a rod member extending from said block member, and means extending therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position.

6. The combination with a blind consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having' means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which saidv blind is mounted at its upper end, said frame including an end block member, a rod member extending from said block member. and means extending therefrom tor rigidly holding said slats -in vertical position, said means including a toothed blade pivotally mounted at the end oi' said rod member and positioned through slots in said slats.

7. The combination with a blind consisting of a plurality of vertically suspended slats having means for turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame ln'which said blind is mounted at its upper end. said frame including an end block member, a rod member' extending from turning adjustment about their lateral axis of a frame in which said blinds are mounted at their upper ends, said frame including end block members, rod members extending downwardly from each oi' Said block members, and means extending therefrom for rigidly holding said slats in vertical position or for gathering the lower ends of said slats together to 'effect a drape appearance.

WALTER TURKOWSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 544.371 Ortman Aug. 13; 1895 2,188,575 McLennan Jan. 30. 1940 2,377,746 Bell` June 5, 1945 

